Standard Operating Procedure
Phosphoric Acid
This is an SOP template and is not complete until: 1) lab specific information is entered into the
box below 2) lab specific protocol/procedure is added to the protocol/procedure section and
3) SOP has been signed and dated by the PI and relevant lab personnel.
Print a copy and insert into your
Laboratory Safety Manual and Chemical Hygiene Plan.
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Principal Investigator:
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Type of SOP:
☐ Process
☒Hazardous Chemical
☐ Hazardous Class
Purpose
Phosphoric acid (H3PO4) is a colorless, highly corrosive, strong inorganic/mineral acid and has a variety
of uses in the daily laboratory work. H3PO4 and its sodium or potassium salts are the most common
buffer systems used in reversed-phase HPLC. On the other hand, as an acid, H3PO4 also can be used
for neutralizing basic solutions or titrations. Based on its natural acidic properties, improper handling of
H3PO4 can pose a serious threat to the health and safety of laboratory personnel, emergency responders
and chemical waste handler. Hence, it is important to follow safety protocols to handle this chemical.
Physical & Chemical Properties/Definition of Chemical Group
CAS#: 7664-38-2
Class: Corrosive
Molecular Formula: H3O4P
Form (physical state): Liquid
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Color: Colorless
Boiling point: 158 °C
Potential Hazards/Toxicity
Inhalation May be fatal if inhaled. Material is extremely destructive to the tissue of the mucous.
Skin contact May be harmful if absorbed through skin. Causes skin burns.
Eye contact Causes eye burns.
Ingestion May be harmful if swallowed.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Respirator Protection
Respirators should be used only under any of the following circumstances:
 As a last line of defense (i.e., after engineering and administrative controls have been
exhausted).
 When Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) has exceeded or when there is a possibility that PEL will
be exceeded.
 Regulations require the use of a respirator.
 An employer requires the use of a respirator.
 There is potential for harmful exposure due to an atmospheric contaminant (in the absence of
PEL)
 As PPE in the event of a chemical spill clean-up process
Lab personnel intending to use/wear a respirator mask must be trained and fit-tested by EH&S. This is a
regulatory requirement. (https://www.ehs.ucla.edu/ep/ih/resp)
Hand Protection
Handle with nitrile gloves. Gloves must be inspected prior to use. Use proper glove removal technique
(without touching glove's outer surface) to avoid skin contact with this product. Dispose of contaminated
gloves after use in accordance with applicable laws and good laboratory practices. Wash and dry hands.
NOTE: Consult with your preferred glove manufacturer to ensure that the gloves you plan on using are
compatible with Phosphoric Acid.
Refer to glove selection chart from the links below:
http://www.ansellpro.com/download/Ansell_8thEditionChemicalResistanceGuide.pdf
OR
http://www.allsafetyproducts.com/glove-selection-chart-chemical-breakthrough-ratings.html
OR
http://www.showabestglove.com/site/default.aspx
OR
http://www.mapaglove.com/
Eye Protection
Safety glasses with side shields. Face shields are also recommended.
Skin and Body Protection
Lab coats should be worn. These laboratory coats must be appropriately sized for the individual and be
buttoned to their full length. Laboratory coat sleeves must be of a sufficient length to prevent skin
exposure while wearing gloves. Full length pants and close-toed shoes must be worn at all times by all
individuals that are occupying the laboratory area. The area of skin between the shoe and ankle should
not be exposed.
Hygiene Measures
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Avoid contact with skin, eyes and clothing. Wash hands before breaks and immediately after handling the
product.
Engineering Controls
All operations must be carried out in a certified chemical fume hood. Laboratory rooms must be at
negative pressure with respect to the corridors and external environment. To achieve this, the
laboratory/room door must be kept closed at all times.
First Aid Procedures
If inhaled
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. If not breathing, give artificial respiration. Consult a physician.
In case of skin contact
Take off contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash off with soap and plenty of water (under
safety shower). Consult a physician.
In case of eye contact
Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes (using emergency eyewash) and consult a
physician. Continue rinsing eyes during transport to hospital.
If swallowed
Do NOT induce vomiting. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. Rinse mouth with
water. Consult a physician.
Special Handling and Storage Requirements
Handling
Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Avoid inhalation of vapour or mist.
Storage
Store in cool place. Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. Containers which are opened must be carefully resealed
and kept upright to prevent leakage
Spill and Accident Procedure
Chemical Spill Dial 911 and x59797
Spill – Assess the extent of danger. Help contaminated or injured persons. Evacuate the spill area.
Avoid breathing vapors. If possible, confine the spill to a small area using a spill kit or absorbent material.
Keep others from entering contaminated area (e.g., use caution tape, barriers, etc.).
Small (<1 L) – If you have training, you may assist in the clean-up effort. Use appropriate personal
protective equipment and clean-up material for chemical spilled. Double bag spill waste in clear plastic
bags, label and take to the next chemical waste pick-up.
Large (>1 L) – Dial 911 (or 310-825-1491 from cell phone) and EH&S at x59797 for assistance.
Chemical Spill on Body or Clothes – Remove clothing and rinse body thoroughly in emergency shower
for at least 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Notify supervisor and EH&S at x59797 immediately.
Chemical Splash Into Eyes – Immediately rinse eyeball and inner surface of eyelid with water from the
emergency eyewash station for 15 minutes by forcibly holding the eye open. Seek medical attention.
Notify supervisor and EH&S at x59797 immediately.
Medical Emergency Dial 911 or x52111
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Life Threatening Emergency, After Hours, Weekends And Holidays – Dial 911 (or 310-825-1491 from
cell phone) or contact the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center (emergency room) directly at x52111
(located at 757 Westwood Plaza, enter from Gayley Avenue). Note: All serious injuries must be reported
to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
Non-Life Threatening Emergency – Go to the Occupational Health Facility (OHF), x56771, CHS room
67-120 (This is on the 6th floor, 7th corridor, room 120. Enter through the School of Dentistry on Tiverton
Drive and proceed to the “O” elevator to the 6th floor.)Hours: M - F, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. At all other
times report to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center (emergency room) at x52111. Note: All serious
injuries must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
Needle stick/puncture exposure (as applicable to chemical handling procedure) – Wash the affected
area with antiseptic soap and warm water for 15 minutes. For mucous membrane exposure, flush the
affected area for 15 minutes using an eyewash station. Page the needle stick nurse by dialing 231 from a
campus phone, enter 93333 when prompted and then enter your extension. Hours: M – F, 8:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. At all other times report to Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center (emergency room) at x52111.
Note: All needle stick/puncture exposures must be reported to EH&S at x59797 within 8 hours.
Decontamination/Waste Disposal Procedure
Wearing proper PPE, decontaminate equipment and bench tops using soap and water. Rinse used
containers thoroughly with water before disposal.
General hazardous waste disposal guidelines:
Label Waste
 Affix an on-line hazardous waste tag on all waste containers using the WASTe Online Tag
Program https://ehs.ucop.edu/waste as soon as the first drop of waste is added to the container
Store Waste
 Store hazardous waste in closed containers, in secondary containment and in a designated
location
 Double-bag dry waste using transparent bags
https://www.ehs.ucla.edu/hazwaste/management/containers
 Waste must be under the control of the person generating & disposing of it
Dispose of Waste
 Dispose of regularly generated chemical waste within 90 days
 Call EH&S at x61887 for questions
 Empty Containers
o Dispose as hazardous waste if it once held extremely hazardous waste (irrespective of
the container size) https://www.ehs.ucla.edu/hazwaste/types/extremely-hazardous
o Consult waste pick-up schedule
https://www.ehs.ucla.edu/hazwaste/management/pick-ups
Prepare for transport to pick-up location
 Check on-line waste tag
 Write date of pick-up on the waste tag
 Use secondary containment
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Location
Online SDS can be accessed at http://msds.ehs.ucla.edu.
Protocol/Procedure
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Quantities covered by this SOP:
0 – 30 mL
Conditions covered by this SOP:
0 °C - 37 °C
Usually, the concentration of phosphoric acid in commercial product is 85%. For HPLC, 0.1% phosphoric
acid water solution is commonly used as the preparative and analytical mobile phase.
0.1% phosphoric acid HPLC mobile phase.
1. Wear proper PPE (Nitrile gloves, lab coat and safety goggles) and carry out all of the procedures in
the fume hood
2. Sequentially add 1.0ml of 85% phosphoric acid from the 500 ml reagent bottle and 1 L of HPLC
grade water to a clean 1L graduated cylinder.
3. Stir the buffer with a clean magnetic stir bar. Remove the stir bar with a clean magnetic stir bar
retriever. Vacuum filter the 0.1% phosphoric acid through a 0.45 micron nylon filter and collect the
filtrate in a clean 1 L filter flask.
4. Pour the filtrate into a clean 1 L HPLC reservoir bottle. Label the bottle as “0.1% phosphoric acid”
and mark the date of preparation. The aqueous buffer may be used for one week after the
preparation date, provided that it is capped and stored at room temperature when not in use.
Q
NOTE
Any deviation from this SOP requires approval from PI.
Documentation of Training (signature of all users is required)

Prior to conducting any work with Phosphoric Acid, designated personnel must provide training to
his/her laboratory personnel specific to the hazards involved in working with this substance, work
area decontamination, and emergency procedures.

The Principal Investigator must provide his/her laboratory personnel with a copy of this SOP and a
copy of the SDS provided by the manufacturer.

The Principal Investigator must ensure that his/her laboratory personnel have attended appropriate
laboratory safety training or refresher training within the last one year.
Principal Investigator SOP Approval
Print name __________________________Signature___________________________
Approval Date:
I have read and understand the content of this SOP:
Name
Signature
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